Dhammadharini Vihara
Encyclopedia
Dhammadharini Vihara was a Buddhist monastic retreat (vihara
) for women in the Niles District of Fremont
, California
. Dhammadharini opened its doors in August 2005, with room for three resident nuns. In 2009, it was replaced by the permanent Aranya Bodhi ("Awakening Forest Hermitage") in Jenner, CA and a part-time "urban" residence called "Bodhi House," in Fremont, CA. The name, "Dhammadharini," is interpreted as, a "holder" or "upholder" (feminine form) of the Buddhadhamma as a "flowing" or "streaming" reality, teaching and practice. A "Vihara" is a monastic residence, refuge and center of practice."
Dhammadharini is most notable as the first Theravada
monastery for women in the Western United States. Women's Buddhist monasteries are rare. When Dhammadharini was founded, it became the third in the entire United States. A focus of Dhammadharini Foundation's mission is to support bhikkhuni
s, fully ordained Buddhist nuns. The Vihara observed the Theravada (mostly southern Asia) Thai Forest Tradition
, including annual Vassa
. The Abbess and founder, Ayya Tathaaloka
, entered monastic life at age 19. She studied in several Buddhist traditions, as well as with her mentor, Ajahn Maha Prasert of the Thai Forest Tradition. She welcomed bhikkhunis and Vihara visitors from other traditions and now welcomes them at Aranya Bodhi. Dhammadharini was home to several renunciate
s (women training for ordination), as well as their teacher, Ayya Tathaaloka. The physical building was a small, leased condominium, paid for by the supporting Dhammadharini Foundation. Vihara residents relied on the support of the lay community, often walking the neighborhood for almsmeals and accepting what food was offered. The supporting community provided the rent, as well as other requisites described in the Vinaya
. The Vihara offered Dhamma teachings, Sutta
discussions and the opportunity for individually arranged lay retreat.
Vihara
Vihara is the Sanskrit and Pali term for a Buddhist monastery. It originally meant "a secluded place in which to walk", and referred to "dwellings" or "refuges" used by wandering monks during the rainy season....
) for women in the Niles District of Fremont
Fremont
- Places :- Other uses :*The Fremont Bridge , in Portland, Oregon*The Fremont Bridge , in Seattle, Washington*Fremont River , a tributary of the Colorado River*Mount Fremont, Washington, in maximum elevation...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Dhammadharini opened its doors in August 2005, with room for three resident nuns. In 2009, it was replaced by the permanent Aranya Bodhi ("Awakening Forest Hermitage") in Jenner, CA and a part-time "urban" residence called "Bodhi House," in Fremont, CA. The name, "Dhammadharini," is interpreted as, a "holder" or "upholder" (feminine form) of the Buddhadhamma as a "flowing" or "streaming" reality, teaching and practice. A "Vihara" is a monastic residence, refuge and center of practice."
Dhammadharini is most notable as the first Theravada
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
monastery for women in the Western United States. Women's Buddhist monasteries are rare. When Dhammadharini was founded, it became the third in the entire United States. A focus of Dhammadharini Foundation's mission is to support bhikkhuni
Bhikkhuni
A bhikkhuni or bhikṣuṇī is a fully ordained female Buddhist monastic. Male monastics are called bhikkhus. Both bhikkhunis and bhikkhus live by the vinaya...
s, fully ordained Buddhist nuns. The Vihara observed the Theravada (mostly southern Asia) Thai Forest Tradition
Thai Forest Tradition
The Thai Forest Tradition is a tradition of Buddhist monasticism within Thai Theravada Buddhism. Practitioners inhabit remote wilderness and forest dwellings as spiritual practice training grounds. Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya are the two major monastic orders in Thailand that have forest...
, including annual Vassa
Vassa
Vassa , also called Rains Retreat, or Buddhist Lent, is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners...
. The Abbess and founder, Ayya Tathaaloka
Ayya Tathaaloka
[זהו זה] Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni is an American-born Theravadan nun, scholar and Buddhist teacher. She is also the founder of Dhammadharini Vihara, co-founder of Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award, a presenting scholar at the 2007 International...
, entered monastic life at age 19. She studied in several Buddhist traditions, as well as with her mentor, Ajahn Maha Prasert of the Thai Forest Tradition. She welcomed bhikkhunis and Vihara visitors from other traditions and now welcomes them at Aranya Bodhi. Dhammadharini was home to several renunciate
Renunciate
Renunciate refers to someone who has renounced lay life, generally to pursue ordination or monastic life. The term is used in a number of religions:Catholic:*Novice*PostulantBuddhist:*SamaneriHindu:*SannyasaTo turn away from....
s (women training for ordination), as well as their teacher, Ayya Tathaaloka. The physical building was a small, leased condominium, paid for by the supporting Dhammadharini Foundation. Vihara residents relied on the support of the lay community, often walking the neighborhood for almsmeals and accepting what food was offered. The supporting community provided the rent, as well as other requisites described in the Vinaya
Vinaya
The Vinaya is the regulatory framework for the Buddhist monastic community, or sangha, based in the canonical texts called Vinaya Pitaka. The teachings of the Buddha, or Buddhadharma can be divided into two broad categories: 'Dharma' or doctrine, and 'Vinaya', or discipline...
. The Vihara offered Dhamma teachings, Sutta
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
discussions and the opportunity for individually arranged lay retreat.
See also
- BhikkhuniBhikkhuniA bhikkhuni or bhikṣuṇī is a fully ordained female Buddhist monastic. Male monastics are called bhikkhus. Both bhikkhunis and bhikkhus live by the vinaya...
- ViharaViharaVihara is the Sanskrit and Pali term for a Buddhist monastery. It originally meant "a secluded place in which to walk", and referred to "dwellings" or "refuges" used by wandering monks during the rainy season....
- Ordination of women
- Thai Forest TraditionThai Forest TraditionThe Thai Forest Tradition is a tradition of Buddhist monasticism within Thai Theravada Buddhism. Practitioners inhabit remote wilderness and forest dwellings as spiritual practice training grounds. Maha Nikaya and Dhammayuttika Nikaya are the two major monastic orders in Thailand that have forest...
- Women in BuddhismWomen in BuddhismWomen in Buddhism is a topic that can be approached from varied perspectives including those of theology, history, anthropology and feminism. Topical interests include the theological status of women, the treatment of women in Buddhist societies at home and in public, the history of women in...